Nov. 6, 2024, Letters to the Editor

 Trucks on Johnson Lane

 Editor:

I thought I would take a moment to thank the Douglas County Board of Commissioners for allowing Johnson Lane to become a major commercial truck route. Our once quiet rural community has been “ruined.” To think that one business (Knox Excavating) has more power than a community of thousands is “criminal”. It’s not about the gravel trucks obeying or not obeying the speed limit or traffic laws, it’s about the fact that the trucks were allowed to use Johnson Lane to conduct their business through our rural residential community.

Richard Ford

Johnson Lane

Animal shelter vital to community

Editor:

The Douglas County Animal Shelter plays a crucial role in our community, far beyond providing a temporary home for lost or unwanted animals. Their mission is deeply rooted in safeguarding the health and welfare of both the community and the animals they care for. By maintaining effective rabies control programs, the shelter works tirelessly to protect public health and prevent the spread of disease. However, their impact doesn’t stop there.

The shelter is also committed to educating the public about responsible pet ownership, ensuring that every adopted pet finds a loving, informed home. They offer innovative, compassionate customer service to our ever-growing community, fostering humane ethics and promoting animal welfare. Their efforts in maintaining a high success rate of adoptions for unwanted or released strays have been a cornerstone of their operations.

Despite their invaluable contributions, the shelter operates with limited resources. Only a small portion of their funding comes from the Douglas County general fund, making them heavily reliant on grants and donations. These funding sources are often unpredictable and temporary, highlighting the constant need for community support to keep the shelter running and fulfilling its mission.

The overwhelming community support for the recent ‘Bingo for Buddies’ event showed just how much Douglas County values the shelter’s work. It was heartening to see local businesses, organizations, and individuals step up to ensure that this vital service continues to thrive for years to come. In fact, during the event, a dog found a new home, reminding us of the tangible and immediate impact of community efforts.

With rising costs of supplies and operating expenses, Douglas County’s essential services, like the Douglas County Animal Shelter, have been facing increasing financial pressure. As a participant in the Douglas County Leadership Class of 2024, I was proud to help organize the ‘Bingo for Buddies’ fundraiser, which brought our community together to address these challenges. The event had a fantastic turnout, with generous donations from local sponsors and attendees that raised crucial funds for the shelter. This support will help the shelter continue its vital mission of protecting and caring for vulnerable animals. Our success demonstrated the power of community involvement, and I encourage everyone to stay engaged and support the causes that help keep Douglas County a compassionate and thriving place to live.

I would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the donors—local businesses, sponsors, and individuals—who participated to make the event such a success. Your generosity is the backbone of Douglas County’s community.

Sincerely,

Meggan E. Melandow

Gardnerville

DHS leadership thanks Homecoming sponsors

Editor:

Another year brought another amazing Fall Homecoming for Douglas High School. DHS Student Leadership would like to take this opportunity to recognize and thank the following people and businesses who helped make “Now Showing: Douglas Goes Hollywood!” Fall Homecoming 2024 possible. We would like to thank the business and groups that made our 7th annual Fall Festival and Homecoming Parade a huge success: Gonuts 4 Donuts, Kings of Kings, Ping Pow Poom, Nick and Willy’s Pizza, Carson Valley Medical Center, DHS All Sports Boosters, Community Counseling Center, Moxy Up, Kiss Candles, Eddy Street Market, Coffee on Main, Carson Valley Inn, Cosmetic Medicine Center, Carson Valley Cinemas, the Leadership programs at CVMS and PWLMS, DHS Clubs and Activities. A very special thanks to the Town of Minden Board and Staff who helped us with road closures, decorations, and organization. DHS Activities are so lucky to be championed by the Town of Minden. 

DHS Leadership is also proud to share that the proceeds of the Fall Fest raffle, in the amount of $500, was donated to the United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra to support relief efforts related to the devastation of the Davis Fire. 

As Homecoming week includes other events such as our pep rally, daily student activities and athletic events, and a crowning ceremony, we appreciate the support we received from the following businesses and people who donated time, materials, and their talents: Accolades Trophies & Engraving, Team Sports Ink, Eric Pacheco & DHS Custodial Staff, Little Details Photography, Amanda Laca, Kaitlyn Hinojosa, Katy Shipley & the DHS Cheerleaders, Mark Porter & “The Pride of the Carson Valley’’ DHS Marching Band, Colonel Glynn, Chief Warrant Officer Sherych, & the DHS JROTC Tiger Battalion, Kurt Hildebrand, Sarah Drinkwine & The Record Courier, Ron Harpin Photography, DHS Staff, Administration, & Student Body, DHS Fall Coaches & Teams, DHS Faculties, Keith Cole, Jim Tucker,  the Lehmann Family, and AMBUSH Student Section. 

We would also like to congratulate our 2024 DHS All Time Hall of Fame inductees Timothy Plummer and Bill Zabelsky. Special thank you to our nominees and their families, especially  Homecoming King Daniel Ward and Queen Ayla Nelson.  Finally, thank you to the alumni who came out this week and supported the Tigers; having alumni return with pride is truly the most special part of this annual event.  Once a Tiger, Always a Tiger.

Last but certainly not least, we would like to recognize the members of DHS Student Leadership for their hours of effort and hard work in order to make this weeklong event full of spirit, camaraderie, and tradition a reality. There really is no place like Douglas. 

With gratitude, 

Cammie Jahreis, DHS ASB President 

Annie Hill , DHS ASB Vice President 

Mena Dedmon, DHS Leadership Teacher

Karen Lamb, DHS Activities Director

Thanks for supporting Bingo for Buddies

Editor:

Dear Douglas County,

Thank you for your participation and contribution to the Leadership Douglas County Bingo for Buddies event on Aug. 25. With your support, we were able to raise over $6,000 for Douglas County Animal Services. Again, thank you for your support of our wonderful community.

Geoffrey Bonar 

Meggan Melandow

Whitney Bullion 

Jake Mitchell

Erin Dudley 

Nikki Rudelbach

Kara Easton 

Michelle Simpson

Rachel Gasporra 

David Stanley

Pamela Litka 

Chris Wiggins

Farmer Wilson

Leadership Douglas County, Class of 2024